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 Ordinary is Pointless

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Player lists by Godge; commentary by Tony Attwood

With a 3rd new player now added to our first team squad it is time yet again to update the list of players that we will have this season.  The list known as the 25.

Part 1.1, 13 overseas players aged over 21

1. Fabianski
2. Sagna,
3. Mertesacker,
4. Vermaelen,
5. Koscielny,
6. Santos,
7. Diaby,
8. Rosicky,
9. Arteta,
10. Gervinho,
11. Podolski,
12. Giroud
13. Cazorla

Part 1.2   Possible newcomers: Sahin

Part 1.3  Possible existing players who stay despite being tipped for transfer

1. Arshavin,
2. Van Persie
3. Chamakh
4. Park,
5. Squillaci
6. Bendtner

Part 2.  Home grown players

1. Szczesny,
2. Djourou,
3. Gibbs,
4. Ramsey
5. Song,
6. Walcott,
7. Mannone,
8. Lansbury
9. Eastmond

Adding together parts 1.1 and 2, (as these are the players who seem fairly likely to be with Arsenal this season) we have 22 players which means three of the six in part 1.2 could stay, if there are no more transfers.  (Players can of course stay, but simply not be listed in the 25, but obviously this is the least ideal situation).

Part 3 the Under 21s who don’t count towards the 25.

1. Bartley,
2. Coquelin,
3. Jenkinson,
4. Wilshere,
5. Miquel,
6. Frimpong,
7. Miyaichi,
8. Oxlade-Chamberlain
9. Martinez,
10. Yennaris,
11. Aneke,
12. Eisfeld

Assuming we do indeed fill up the 25 from parts 1 and 2, and assuming for the moment that none of the youngsters in part 3 go on loan we will have a 37 man squad.  However there is already talk of Ryo Miyaichi going on loan.

So, three places spare in the 25, and they could go to men of any nationality.  Below is the current list of players who might fill those gaps (although of course there is no need to have the gaps filled – we don’t have to nominate 25).  The only other signing on the horizon is Sahin so he is included, but of course there could be any of the multitude of players mentioned in connection with Arsenal each day in the press.

Putting the list in order of the likelihood of any player joining the list to make up the 25 is a mugs game, but since being a mug is what writing a blog is all about, here we go…   The players most likely to join the list above to make up the 25 in order of likelihood

1. Sahin
2. A N Other
3. Van Persie
4. Bendtner
5. Chamakh
6. Arshavin,
7. Squillaci
8. Park

The only reason for Sahin not coming to Arsenal is because another club offers him what he perceives to be a better loan spell.   The chance of A N Other arriving is, well, a guess.  No one is (as I write) clearly approaching the signing stage.  As for Van Persie, until he signs elsewhere he is with us.  Doing a U turn is not unknown.  Remember Rooney?

Those three would fill the remaining spaces.  After that it is anyone’s guess and I guess those remaining players will only be with us if they can’t find new clubs.  If they are still on our books and there’s a space in the 25, I guess they get registered, although whether they will ever get a game is hard to see.

Looking at the bottom I can’t see Park having a future since he looked so out of touch when he did play last season.  Squillaci had injuries and was always a stop-gap – and now we have a good range of central defenders.  Arshavin seems to have no problems in picking up offers, so I am sure he will leave.  Bendtner might just stay if no one can meet his terms, but it seems unlikely.  Chamakh might just stay if no one is buying – but again it seems unlikely.  He did start off well but something went wrong.  It happens.

So to bring our 25 together, at present I am going for

1. Fabianski,
2. Sagna,
3. Mertesacker,
4. Vermaelen,
5. Koscielny,
6. Santos,
7. Diaby,
8. Rosicky,
9. Arteta,
10. Gervinho,
11. Podolski,
12. Giroud
13. Cazorla
14. Szczesny,
15. Djourou,
16. Gibbs,
17. Ramsey
18. Song,
19. Walcott,
20. Mannone,
21. Lansbury
22. Eastmond
23. Sahin
24. Van Persie
25. A N Other

And from the under 21s…

1. Bartley,
2. Coquelin,
3. Jenkinson,
4. Wilshere,
5. Miquel,
6. Frimpong,
7. Miyaichi,
8. Oxlade-Chamberlain
9. Martinez,
10. Yennaris,
11. Aneke,
12. Eisfeld

Not a bad squad eh?

So, the early line up is…..

Schchaksczzzhy Coquelin,  Vermaelen,  Koscielny,  Gibbs Cazorla, Song, Arteta

Oxlade-Chamberlain, Podolski, Giroud,

Sorry I put Fabianski in goal when I first published this, meant to put the other fella whose name I can’t spell.  My cut and paste went wrong.  Anyway, And then just think of the bench.

Actually I haven’t got a clue how the forward line will fit together, nor what will happen if by a strange chance RVP actually stays.  I am sure you know better….

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